This study aimed to determine the prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) and associated clinical signs in young dogs. Owners of dogs aged 8 months–4 years from a single practice, were contacted in random order, to participate in a general health screen. Clinical and orthopedic examinations were performed. Each joint was scored for pain reactions (0–4). Orthogonal radiographs of all joints were made under sedation. Each joint was scored for radiographic OA (rOA) severity on an 11-point scale. Clinical OA (cOA) was defined as an overlap of rOA and joint pain in ≥ 1 joint. Owners completed OA questionnaires. The owners of 123 dogs agreed to participate. Overall, 39.8% (49/123) of dogs had rOA in ≥ 1 joint, and 16.3% (20/123) or 23.6% (29/123) dogs had cOA, depending on the cut-off value of joint pain; moderate (2), or mild (1), respectively. Owners of dogs with cOA observed signs of impairment in approximately 30% of cases. Only 2 dogs with cOA were receiving OA pain management. The most commonly affected joints in descending order of frequency were elbow, hip, tarsus, and stifle. Radiographically visible OA is common in young dogs, and 40–60% of dogs with rOA had cOA. However, OA-pain appears underdiagnosed and undertreated in young dogs.

本研究旨在确定幼犬骨关节炎（OA）的患病率和相关临床症状。我们随机联系了接受过一次治疗的 8 个月至 4 岁狗的主人​​，以参加一般健康筛查。进行了临床和骨科检查。对每个关节的疼痛反应进行评分（0-4）。所有关节的正交X光片均在镇静状态下拍摄。每个关节均按照 11 分制的放射学 OA (rOA) 严重程度进行评分。临床 OA (cOA) 定义为 rOA 与 ≥ 1 个关节的关节疼痛重叠。业主填写了 OA 调查问卷。 123 只狗的主人同意参加。总体而言，39.8% (49/123) 的狗在 ≥ 1 个关节中患有 rOA，16.3% (20/123) 或 23.6% (29/123) 的狗患有 cOA，具体取决于关节疼痛的截止值；分别为中度 (2) 或轻度 (1)。患有 cOA 的狗的主人在大约 30% 的病例中观察到了损伤迹象。只有 2 只患有 cOA 的狗接受 OA 疼痛治疗。最常受影响的关节按频率降序排列是肘部、髋部、跗骨和膝关节。放射线可见的 OA 在幼犬中很常见，40-60% 患有 rOA 的狗患有 cOA。然而，年轻犬的骨关节炎疼痛似乎没有得到充分的诊断和治疗。